Battle of Gate Pa Trust chairman Terry Molloy said the city is long overdue for a museum. Photo / John Borren
Battle of Gate Pa Trust chairman Terry Molloy said the city is long overdue for a museum. Photo / John Borren
Tauranga City Council's lack of support for a museum has been labelled "insulting" and "disgraceful" by those involved in the local art scene.
The Bay of Plenty Times this week reported the Tauranga Moana Museum Trust had asked the council for $100,000 as part of a last-minute effort to keep the project alive.
It appealed to council to reverse its hands-off attitude towards the museum, which has largely stalled over the past eight years. The money would fund the development of a "best fit" museum concept that would then allow the launch of local and national fundraising, trust member Kelly Barclay said.
Incubator director Simone Anderson said if Tauranga was to be taken seriously as a growing, sophisticated city it needed a museum.
"At the moment, it is kind of insulting that our heritage is not acknowledged." She questioned the amount of money being spent on artefacts being stored in archival facilities.
However, he said he was aware of another couple of groups looking at it and that they needed to "get together."
Mr Molloy said 12,000 people had commented in a visitors' book at the Battle of Gate Pa exhibition and 99.9 per cent were supportive of a museum.
Art co-ordinator Mary Stewart said a museum was an integral part of any city and good for economic development.
"I think it is a foundation component to our economic development, especially in tourism as it makes Tauranga a destination with heart and soul."
She said $100,000 was obviously a lot of money for the council to invest but they needed to bite the bullet.
Lecturer Sonya Korohina said it was important as a city to know our history.
"It saddens me that I have a 4-year-old that may go to university without having a museum in her hometown so that she can understand her sense of place."
Ms Korohina said she had no qualms about her rates contributing to a museum.
The council will make a decision on the trust's submission early next month but Cr Rick Curach said it would be a huge hurdle to get it over the table.
The mayor responds
Tauranga mayor Stuart Crosby said the issue was not about building the facility but its running costs.
Tauranga Mayor Stuart Crosby. Photo / George Novak
The council funds 80 per cent of the Tauranga Art Gallery, about $900,000 a year, and it estimated a new museum would cost $2 million a year to run over and above user fees and charges, he said.
"And, while that is not necessarily a show stopper, it is the type of discussion the community has to have. It is all very well for Priority One and Tourism Bay of Plenty saying yes, yes, yes but the ratepayers are going to pay for that cost."
Mr Crosby said his view was, if the council proceeded with the Tauranga Moana Museum Trust proposal, it needed to have a business case to support it.
What business leaders say
A museum could drive tourism, economic growth and employment in the region, local business leaders say.
Tourism Bay of Plenty general manager Rhys Arrowsmith said the city and region had a unique story to tell.
"Any maturing city needs to be able to showcase its history and its future. To know where we are going we first need to know where we have come from. I believe both residents and visitors will benefit from a museum."
Rhys Arrowsmith, general manager of Tourism Bay of Plenty, at the Mount Beach. Photo / File
Mr Arrowsmith said visitors did ask about museum options and such a facility could hold visitors in the region for longer.
"The key to tourism growth in this region is four action points: a 365-day all-weather proposition, major events, more paid attractions and increased volume accommodation. A museum would tick three of these points as well as providing important heritage for our residents."
A report complied by Priority One and used in submissions to local authorities said public investment in arts and heritage "is a core lever for economic growth, social impact and philanthropic support."
"From an economic development perspective, a vibrant arts and heritage sector in Tauranga and the Western Bay of Plenty is a key component to our ability to attract and retain skilled, talented and creative people and the businesses that need them."
A museum in Tauranga would also provide an important educational resource for the area. The community had an obligation to the next generation to safeguard the stories and heritage of the region, it said.
Tauranga Chamber of Commerce interim CEO Toni Palmer said it could see merit in the idea.
"The Chamber supports any cultural amenity that will enhance the city and improve Tauranga as a place to live and work. Our members have not been surveyed specifically about a museum and it has not been raised as a member concern, most are focussed more on the economic environment."
Street view
The Tauranga Moana Museum Trust started a working party in 1999 to start a museum and has not made much traction. Do you think Tauranga needs a museum and why?
Dave Graham.
"I think it is quite important to have a place that can house historic artefacts. Kids should have a place to visit. I am from Wellington and I can remember the museum was fascinating." - Dave Graham, 55,Pyes Pa
"I haven't given it much thought as they are not really my thing. However, it could be good but would be hard to live up to Te Papa or Auckland." - Lara Connolly, 21,Mt Maunganui
Kelsi McIntosh.
"I do and I would definitely go to a museum. They are rich in history and good for kids in school to visit." - Kelsi McIntosh, 23,Bellevue
"I am originally from Dunedin and we did trips to the museum at primary school which was really cool. It is a shame kids in Tauranga don't have that opportunity." - William Milburn, 18,Tauranga South
